James Milton finished the trek from Winchester to Canterbury cathedrals on his 35th birthday.

Raising funds for the charity Help for Heroes, Mr Milton, who served in three tours of duty in Iraq, used country paths to follow as closely as possible the original pilgrim's route.

Mr Milton, who now works in corporate communications, said: "I feel euphoric, we have raised over £4,000 and money is still coming in. It's been amazing, people have been incredibly generous, £500 was collected just along the way and one lady held up the A325 just to give me some money.

"It's my birthday today and I want to do something I could be proud of and remember for the rest of my life.My feet are in tatters, I have walked continuously for the last 24 hours because I didn't think I would make it."

Explaining his reason for doing the trek, he added: "I used to be a soldier and I have built a good life since but there is a bunch of men and women who have not been so fortunate. Help for Heroes is a magnificent charity for its work in supporting them."

Mr Milton served as an officer in the British Army between 1998 and 2007, first in the Adjutant Generals Corps and then the Intelligence Corps.

Between 2003 and 2006 he carried out three separate tours of Iraq, first as both an intelligence officer and an Arabic Interpreter attached to a number of units including the Royal Marines, the Queen's Dragoon Guards and the Black Watch during their month long deployment in the blockade of Fallujah in November 2004.

In 2005, he received the Joint Commanders Commendation in recognition for his efforts during his second tour of Iraq as second in command of the interpreter's section of multi national division south east.